The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) takes note of the ongoing House of Representatives committee hearings on the proliferation of disinformation across social media platforms. These inquiries seek to evaluate existing laws and policies governing online spaces and explore legislative measures to ensure Filipinos’ access to accurate and reliable information.
At the same time, the Commission recognizes the concerns raised by content creators before the Supreme Court on the implications of such legislative action. CHR emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech and expression, including those participating in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental human right and an essential pillar of any democratic society. As a democratic State, the Philippines has the inherent duty to respect, protect, and uphold this right at all times, regardless of circumstances. In addition, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the Philippines has also committed to upholding international human rights standards. Various international mechanisms now recognize the Internet—including social media and other digital platforms—as an emerging form of media, reaffirming the role of digital content creators in shaping public discourse. At the same time, this recognition also underscores the responsibilities that come with free expression, including the need for safeguards against disinformation and mechanisms to promote responsible content creation.
The Commission believes that this inquiry, being in aid of legislation, presents an opportunity to refine ethical frameworks in the digital space while ensuring that mechanisms addressing harmful content remain in place. Given the growing influence of digital media, parameters like these, akin to those governing traditional media—such as ethical and professional standards upheld by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)—may offer valuable insights into responsible content creation.
As such, any proposed framework should complement—not override—the existing laws and mechanisms, thereby ensuring that due process and the rule of law remain paramount.
In this regard, it is expected that the nature and scope of content creation work will be thoroughly discussed between lawmakers and the invited resource persons. CHR emphasizes the need for objectivity, impartiality, and respect for the rights of all resource persons participating in these hearings. The discussions should be anchored in human rights standards to prevent any perception that the inquiry is being used to suppress dissent, silence critics, or restrict democratic discourse.
As the hearings progress, CHR remains optimistic that the proceedings will be conducted thoroughly, fairly, and within constitutional bounds. Addressing the persistent issue of disinformation requires a balanced approach—one that upholds free expression while fostering an online environment rooted in truth, accountability, and respect for human rights. ###